Larry Csonka was the quintessential fullback of the outstanding Miami Dolphins team of the 1970s and one of the National Football League as a whole. He was the forward mover-the man who got the ball when a first down or a touchdown was just a few tough yards away. Csonka led the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances in 1971-1973, earning All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors along the way.

He and halfback Jim Kiick were affectionately known as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and were mainstays in the Dolphins' perfect 17-0-0 season in 1972. After leaving to join the World Football League, "Zonk" returned to the NFL to play for the New York Giants and the Dolphins again for his final pro season in 1979.

Csonka was born Christmas Day in 1946, at 9-pounds, 13-ounces, in Stow, Ohio. By age 16, he was 6 feet, 3 inches tall and weighed 237 pounds. An All-American fullback at Syracuse, he was the Miami Dolphins' first-round draft choice in 1968 and was the MVP of the 1968 College All-Star Game. Csonka blossomed into a powerhouse back in 1970 when Don Shula took over as head coach in Miami. In 1970, Csonka gained 874 yards rushing. In 1971, '72 and '73, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. He was the leading rusher in the Dolphins' perfect 1972 season and MVP of the Super Bowl VIII victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He gained 5,900 yards and scored 44 touchdowns with Miami from 1968-1974. After a contract dispute, Csonka, Kiick and Paul Warfield signed with the World Football League. After the WFL folded, Csonka re-signed with the NFL, this time with the New York Giants. He returned to the Dolphins in 1979, leading the team in rushing with 837 yards and named MVP by Dolphins teammates. He finished with 57 touchdowns for Miami, a Dolphins record.

Csonka and power running became synonymous in the NFL. His status as MVP in Super Bowl VIII culminated in three trips with Miami to the NFL's biggest game. His Dolphins career team-rushing record of 6,736 yards still stands. He joined the NFL New York Giants for three seasons from 1976 to 1978, and his rushing total of more than 8,000 yards places him among the Top 10 in all time rushing. His importance to the game of football was exemplified when he was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1987.

A former All-American at Syracuse, Csonka set numerous records with the Orangemen and was selected for the East-West Game, the Hula Bowl, and the former All-Star NFL Game. He was selected MVP in each of those games. While at Syracuse, Csonka broke rushing records of Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, Floyd Kittle and Jim Nance.